Ethiopian musical star, Tewodros Kassahun’s (Teddy Afro) official album launch event that was set to be held at the Hilton Addis Hotel today has reportedly been cancelled due to what sources claimed to be “the government securities and the Hotel’s coordinated gate-keeping hindrances”. Other sources claim it was cancelled because of “an alleged disagreement between the event planners and organizing companies.”

The musician’s logistics and team were refused entrance to the Hotel yesterday as they were preparing the Hall. This event was much anticipated by Teddy Afro’s fans after he was politically refused permit to hold public concerts in Addis Abeba by the city government. Few weeks ago, his permit application to organise a concert at the Millennium Hall for September 10, 2017, has been denied by the officials of the City administration.

Teddy was set to officially launch his fifth musical album that was released in May 2017 and an official video clip of his popular song from the same album Mar Eske Tuaf. Only 1000 invited guests were expected to attend the event, where Teddy was also anticipated to sing.

Teddy Afro is probably the leading Ethiopian musician in terms of album sale, concert attendance and fans at the moment but the artist has also been a victim of systematic government repression and censorship, whose many Ethiopian concerts have been cancelled and had his travel documents confiscated by local immigration and security officers.